SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. 205 



observed, in some of the most wooded parts of Surrey, where 

 the lime-tree and the Fly-catcher are equally abundant. In 

 Surrey, also, the name of Bee-bird is commonly applied to 

 this species. 



The nest of the Spotted Flycatcher is far less remarkable 

 for neatness of form and skilfulness of structure than those of 

 many small birds, and must yield the precedence in these re- 

 spects to the nests of the finches, the warblers, and even of 

 the larks and pipits. In materials it most resembles the nest 

 of the redbreast, although it is neither composed of so great 

 a quantity of materials, nor are they so well put together. 

 Green and grey moss, roots, straws, and dry grass, spider cots, 

 etc., are the component parts, and so slightly arranged that the 

 nest can hardly be removed from its resting-place without 

 losing its form. The nest now before us, besides all the 

 the materials mentioned, contains a few horse-hairs within, 

 and without is interwoven with portions of the holly leaf, in a 

 skeleton state. 



The eggs of the Spotted Fly-catcher are usually five in 

 number, mottled with reddish spots on a pale green ground ; 

 in some specimens the larger end is blotched with reddish 

 grey. Some eggs of the Fly-catcher resemble greatly those of 

 the redbreast, but are mostly smaller in size, and the markings 

 are less regularly disposed. 



Young Fly-catchers, before they leave the nest, are on the 

 upper plumage greyish-brown, mottled with yellowish-white 

 spots ; beneath whitish, and their broad beaks are very conspi- 

 cuous. When further advanced in plumage, that is, after 

 their autumnal moult, there is but little difference between 

 them and the adult, as may be seen in our plate, in which 

 the upper bird represents the adult, and the lower the young 

 of the year, sketched in September. The young birds leave 

 the nest before they are well able to fly, and may be seen 

 sitting side by side upon a branch, receiving food from their 



